EPL Bargain Bin: Week 15 Value Players

Come Monday, it will have been a very busy 10 days in the Premier League, as each team will have played three matches in that short span. With that in mind, be aware that managers could give some players a break to avoid overuse or injury. Make sure your bench is well stocked with players that could help should they need to be called upon. Also be mindful of travel for your players. Some teams will have had to travel twice in eight or nine days. The trip distances may not be that great, but don’t underestimate the way it can fatigue and drain the body.

Week 15 offers some good matchups and great opportunities to find players that will cost your fantasy team very little money. With goal-scoring continuing to rise, more players are getting involved offensively, allowing more to have decent fantasy value.

Here is Week 15 of the Bargain Bin:

GoalkeeperSimon Mignolet has been going through a rough stretch, allowing nine goals during Liverpool’s last five matches. However, there is a drastic split in performance between Mignolet’s home matches and his matches away from Anfield. While at home, Mignolet is allowing an average of 0.57 goals per match and that number jumps to 1.85 goals per match in away ties. Just looking at Mignolet’s overall statistics could be very misleading for his fantasy value. Liverpool will host West Ham United on Saturday and the Hammers have struggled to produce offense on the road this season. West Ham are averaging 0.57 goals per away match and have failed to score a goal in five of their seven trips away from Boleyn Ground. Between Liverpool’s home track record and West Ham’s inability to score on the road, Mignolet has a good shot at a clean sheet Saturday.

DefendersGlen Johnson leads all Liverpool defenders in shots and shots on target this season. He also has only been booked one time, so he should not cost you any points by picking up a yellow or red card. Of all the Liverpool defenders, he has the best chance to help out on the offensive end and he should not pick up any negative points. Hope for more, but look for Johnson to join Mignolet in the clean sheet category.

Cesar Azpilicueta has been in Chelsea’s starting XI for the last four weeks. As Jose Mourinho continues to search for his best back line set up, it is expected that Azpilicueta will continue to get his chance the next few weeks. From a fantasy standpoint, it will not get any better than their matchup against Stoke City on Saturday. The Potters have not scored against Chelsea since 2011 (five matches) and have just three goals in the last 12 matches between these two sides. Before Chelsea’s poor defensive display this past Wednesday, they had only allowed an average of 0.8 goals per away match this season. In addition, Stoke City average below 1.0 goals per home match so far this season. Chelsea will certainly look to improve upon their poor defensive showing from Wednesday and will have a good chance at keeping a clean sheet.

MidfieldersJonjo Shelvey has stepped up in Wilfried Bony’s (hamstring) absence. The midfielder has more than twice as many shots as his teammates and scored a goal during the two-match span Bony has missed. Monday, Shelvey and Swansea City will host a Hull City squad that has allowed more than two goals per away match. Tigers’ goalkeeper, Allan McGregor has stopped fewer than 60 percent of his opponents’ shots on target in away matches this season. With Shelvey taking two shots on target in each of his last three matches, he has a good opportunity to score in a second consecutive match. If not, Swansea should score at some point and Shelvey is a good bet to be involved. Additionally, he has a good chance at picking up clean sheet credit, as Hull City average less than one goal per away match.

ForwardsDanny Welbeck should be in line for a second straight start Saturday with Robin van Persie (groin) dealing with an injury and Wayne Rooney suspended for the match after picking up his fifth yellow card. Manchester United will be taking on Newcastle United and Welbeck should have plenty of opportunities to score. Newcastle have allowed their opponents to be very accurate with their shots, giving up the second most shots on target during away matches this season. Combined with a low save percentage, they are allowing two goals per game away from St. James’ Park. They have also conceded seven goals in the last two matches against Manchester United. Welbeck should fill in nicely while the normal starters are out and has a good opportunity to provide solid fantasy value this weekend.

Jermain Defoe was in Tottenham’s starting XI for just the second time Wednesday. With Tottenham struggling offensively and with it being the short week, manager Andre Villa-Boas went with Defoe up front instead of Roberto Soldado. After the win, there were reports that Defoe could remain in the starting XIto help the team score more goals. Should he remain in the starting XI, he will get to face a Sunderland squad that has allowed the most goals in home matches this season. He is averaging three shots in matches that he starts, and will have a good opportunity to pick up his first Premier League goal of the season this weekend.